Louis L. McAllister Photographs

Louis L. McAllister photographed people and places near
Burlington, Vermont for 60 years. He was born in Columbus, Nebraska on
October 16, 1876, the son of Julius S. McAllister (born 1841 in Lincoln, VT)
and Rosette Gould (born in Vermont in 1851). Julius McAllister worked as a
photographer and dentist in Washington D.C., Bristol, Vermont and Columbus,
Nebraska. Around 1895, Julius, his third wife Amy, and their children left
Nebraska for the Union Soldiers’ Colony in Fitzgerald, Georgia. By 1900,
Julius and Amy were divorced, and Amy and her stepson Louis were working as
photographers in Thomasville, Georgia.

In 1907 Louis McAllister married Cora Shepard (born about 1872
in Vermont) in Holland, Michigan. By 1910, they were living in Queen City
Park in South Burlington, Vermont, where Louis established a photography
studio. The McAllisters moved to Burlington, and by 1919 they lived at 47 N.
Winooski Avenue. They continued to occupy a summer cottage at Queen City
Park, and were active in the Queen City Park Association, which held
spiritualist camp meetings annually. McAllister conducted his photography
business from home until his death in 1963.

McAllister’s “trademark” was his panorama camera which made him
familiar to all sorts of groups ranging from graduating classes to state
police to summer camp groups. In addition he did print 8 x 10 photos, many
of which document building construction and Burlington Street Department
projects, as well as group and individual portraits.

The L.L. McAllister Collection includes portraits, construction
projects, buildings, businesses and events in the Burlington area covering
the period ca. 1920-1960. The collection also includes photos of street,
bridge, airport and sewer construction and repair, as well as group
portraits of clubs, schools, etc.

Yet another view of Veterans Day (1957) at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. (see also mcalB21F12i02). Veterans, a color guard plus others in uniform, and children from the neighborhood are present. This photo shows another veteran addressing the crowd.

1957 photo of a veterans' ceremony at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt., perhaps on Veterans Day. Crowd consists of men and women veterans (many wearing uniforms and/or garrison caps), and children. This gathering is at the Howard William Plant memorial. Plant, as the plaque states, was the "first Burlington boy" to die in World War I. VFW Post #782 is named the "Howard Plant Post" in his honor. Plant died in 1917, so this ceremony marked the 40th anniversary of his death.

1957 photo of a Veterans Day memorial at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt. Crowd consists of men and women veterans (many wearing uniforms and/or garrison caps), and children. A few men seem to be lined up to speak at the microphone.

1957 photo of a gathering of veterans and onlookers (mostly children) at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. Among the several American flags is the standard for the local VFW Howard Plant Post. Several men are in full uniform, some wearing garrison caps; almost all are saluting. The occasion may be Veterans Day, or the 40th anniversary of the death of Howard William Plant, first Burlington casualty in World War I.

1957 photo of a gathering of veterans at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt. Inside the iron fence (left) is a small memorial dedicated to the memory of Howard William Plant, "first Burlington boy" to die in World War I. VFW Post # 782 is named in his honor. Crowd appears to be ready for a ceremony and speaker, who may be J. Edward Moran, mayor of Burlington, 1949-1957.

1957 photo of a gathering of veterans at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. Occasion very likely is Veterans Day. A speaker is addressing the crowd. This may be J. Edward Moran, mayor of Burlington 1949-1957 and then manager of the airport.

1957 photo of a veterans ceremony in Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. Occasion may be Veterans Day and/or the dedication of a small monument to the memory of Howard William Plant, first Burlington serviceman to die in World War I. A soldier in uniform looks pensively at the memorial as others look on, notably several women veterans holding American flags.

1959 photo of a ceremony at Battery Park, very likely at the veterans memorial dedicated to Howard W. Plant. An officer, perhaps a veteran, is reading a passage from a booklet. A number of onlookers from the neighborhood, plus other veterans, have gathered for the occasion.

1959 photo of a ceremony at Battery Park, very likely at the veterans memorial dedicated to Howard W. Plant. C. Douglas Cairns, Mayor of Burlington (perhaps former mayor by this date) is standing at a microphone, addressing the crowd. An elderly lady--perhaps a relative of Plant's-- stands apart from the crowd to view the granite memorial. A number of onlookers from the neighborhood, plus other veterans, have gathered for the occasion.

1959 photo of a ceremony at Battery Park, very likely on Veterans Day. An honor guard stands ready to fire one or more volleys--very likely the customary three--in honor of deceased veterans. (Three volleys from seven rifles does not constitute a 21-gun salute, however.) A number of citizens are present. The veterans memorial in Battery Park is dedicated to the memory of Howard W. Plant, first Burlington casualty of World War I.

1959 photo of a wreathe-laying ceremony at the VFW war memorial in Battery Park, very likely on Veterans Day. A lady in civilian clothing observes, standing apart from the crowd. She may be a survivor of Howard W. Plant, first Burlington World War I casualty, to whose memory the memorial is dedicated. A small crowd of veterans, citizens, and children has gathered at the site.

1952 photo of an Armistice Day (after 1954: Veterans Day) commemoration at the VFW memorial in Battery Park. A sailor stands in front of the memorial dedicated to the memory of seaman Howard W. Plant, "the first Burlington boy" to die in World War I, specifically on the US destroyer "Jacob Jones," 6 Dec., 1917. Burlington Mayor J. Edward Moran (2nd from far left) and other veterans and citizens look on in silence.

1952 photo of (very likely) an Armistice Day parade, on the way to the VFW memorial at Battery Park (see mcalB21F14i11). Leading the parade are Burlington Mayor J. Edward Moran (left), two other men in uniform, and a color guard carrying the American flag and the VFW Howard Plant Post No. 782 flag. 782 is named after Burlington's first casualty in World War I, Howard W. Plant.

1952 photo of a wreath-laying ceremony at Battery Park at the VFW memorial dedicated to Howard W. Plant. Plant, the first Burlington casualty of World War I, died on 6 Dec. 1917, so this event may be a 35th anniversary commemoration. Many veterans and military personnel, some carrying American flags, are gathered near the site. Burlington Mayor J. Edward Moran can be seen on the far left, directly under the flag.

1957 photo of a ceremony at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt., held perhaps on Veterans Day. The iron fence around the monument honoring Howard W. Plant is opened. A speaker (far right) addresses the crowd as VFW Ladies Auxiliary members hold American flags, which appear to be flapping in fairly stiff wind. The Brewer Bros. car dealership in the background now houses the Burlington Police Dept.

Undated photo of a ceremony at Battery Park in Burlington, Vt., near the small monument placed there in memory of Howard W. Plant, the first Burlington casualty of World War I. Several band musicians (who happen to be dressed like Canadian "Mounties") stand at attention while other attendees look on. Two women, very likely members of the Ladies Auxiliary, hold American flags, perhaps as "Taps" is being played (see mcalB21F19i04, which complements this scene). The event may have taken place on Veterans Day.

Undated photo of veterans' ceremony, perhaps on Veterans Day, at Battery Park, Burlington, Vt. The car dealership in the background now houses the Burlington Police Dept. The memorial stone and plaque--if it is the same one dedicated to Howard William Plant, first Burlington casualty of World War I--has since been moved to the southeast corner of the park, near the corner of Battery and Pearl Sts. A man playing trumpet (perhaps the same as in mcalB17F11i02), very likely "Taps," faces the memorial, which is enclosed by an iron fence, as other veterans and citizens salute or stand at attention.

April 14, 1917 flag raising at Mill Park, near the American Woolen Mills in Winooski, Vermont. A large crowd has gathered for the event. Shortly after the U.S. entered World War I (April 6, 1917), woolen mill employees collected $100 to purchase 3 American flags, which were raised in front of the Champlain Mill, Mill No. 3 (now the condominium apartments overlooking the river and bridge), and the mill office. (Photo 1 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.)

April 14, 1917 flag raising at Mill Park, near the American Woolen Mills in Winooski, Vermont. A large crowd has gathered to witness the raising of 3 American flags purchased by mill employees, as well as to hear patriotic speeches and military music. This occurred shortly after the U.S. decision to enter World War I, which brought prosperity to Winooski as the demand for woolen blankets increased dramatically. (Photo 2 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.)

April 14, 1917 flag raising at Mill Park, near the American Woolen Mills in Winooski, Vermont. A large crowd has gathered to witness the raising of 3 American flags purchased by mill employees, as well as to hear patriotic speeches and military music performed by George D. Sherman's Military Band. This occurred shortly after the U.S. decision to enter World War I, which brought an immediate demand for woolen blankets. Among the well-dressed citizens are some dignitaries on the speakers' stand: Burlington Mayor J. Holmes Jackson, businessman Charles S. Lord, and lawyers C.H. Darling and Col. J.H. Mimms. (Photo 3 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.)

April 14, 1917 flag raising at the American Woolen Mills in Winooski, Vermont. A large crowd is gathered for the event. On the left side is the speakers' stand. Several speakers addressed the crowd that day, no doubt praising the patriotism of the mill workers who raised money to purchase 3 American flags, but also trying to create enthusiasm for the war effort (the U.S. entered World War I on April 6, 1917). The 3 flags (very likely not those seen at the speakers' platform) were raised in front of the Champlain Mill, Mill No. 3, and the mill's main office. In the distance one can see the Winooski bridge, and the street corner is West Canal and Follett. (Photo 4 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.)

1922 flag raising at the American Woolen Mills (AWM) in Winooski, Vermont, perhaps on the Fourth of July or on Labor Day, when AWM sponsored a Field Day for employees and their families. It appears to be summertime and a large crowd is gathered for the event, including dignitaries standing on a platform stage. Photo 3 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.

1922 flag raising at the American Woolen Mills (AWM) in Winooski, Vermont, perhaps on the Fourth of July or on Labor Day, when AWM sponsored a Field Day for employees and their families. It appears to be summertime and a large crowd is gathered in Mill Park for the event. A corner of the speakers' stage is seen on the left. The street on the uphill side of the park is very likely West Center St., and Follett St. is off to the right. Photo 4 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.

1922 flag raising at the American Woolen Mills (AWM) in Winooski, Vermont, perhaps on the Fourth of July or on Labor Day, when AWM sponsored a Field Day for employees and their families. It appears to be summertime and a large crowd is gathered in Mill Park for the event. Automobiles are parked on both sides of West Canal Street in the background. Photo 5 of five images that create a panoramic view when placed together.